Swing for Beginners

East Coast
Swing & West Coast Swing

Are you ready to be cool? If so, the Swing is a “must learn” dance. From its origin in 1927, the Lindy paved the way for many more swing-style
dances which developed, including the American Swing, Boogie-Woogie, Hustle,
Jitterbug, Jive, Rock and Roll, and West Coast Swing. With post-war exuberance
filling the air, it wasn’t long before youthful energy was unleashed on
the streets... dancing! Characterized by jumps, spins, turns and throw-outs,
the Lindy was seen on dance floors all across America. Today, the Lindy
has undergone many alterations and has been toned down and incorporated
into a ballroom format known most commonly as the Swing.

East Coast Swing - with roots deep in the Harlem originated Jitterbug, the two dances have
become one and the same. Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley popularized the
music and the lively East Coast Swing steps have been in vogue ever
since. One of the appealing features of the East Coast Swing is that
the dance works well on a wide-open ballroom floor as well as in a
crowded nightclub.

West Coast Swing - is an evolving social
dance with roots in Lindy Hop that has gone through many changes
throughout its short history, over time incorporating techniques from numerous
dance styles.
It is characterized by a distinctive elastic
look that results from its basic extension-compression technique of
partner connection, and is danced
primarily in a slotted area on the dance
floor. The dance allows for both partners to improvise steps while dancing
together, putting West Coast Swing in a short list of dances that put a premium
on improvisation.

Both singles and couples are welcome to attend. We rotate partners throughout the class to give everyone the opportunity to dance with different partners and make new friends.